The Four Headlamps

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

CAMP CONNELL, Calaveras County, Calif., USA - Most of the celebrated jumping frogs of this county have gone into hibernation (if they are smart) as the weather forecast is calling for very cold nights - and maybe even a little snow.

Four Headlamps lead guitarist Sanders Lamont a few days ago wrote on Facebook:

"Weather turning colder. In the 30s at night,

but nice cool days. Fall almost done. We're waiting on snow."

Frogs making snow angels

But despite the cold forecast - and the countdown to Mexico underway for Captain Michael and Admiral Sylvia - The Four Headlamps are planning a jam session this week at Camp ConnellStudios.

Some partying at either the Lube Room or the Camp Connell Store is also planned. Wait, perhaps there will be partying at both.

Adm. Fox flirted with the idea of taking up the ukulele - going so far as to purchase a small Kala travel unit - but on reflection, she decided to wait until she gets to Mexico where an extra uke is waiting.

This is likely to be the last practice session before Michael and Sylvia head south to Mexico, where they will take up residence first in La Mazanilla for a couple of weeks, then Arroyo Seco.

But this weekend, it's guitar, violin, ukulele and hammer dulcimer. All in tune, even.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

CAMP CONNELL, California, USA - The Four Headlamps, plus Dan and Lorraine Olsen of the sailing vessel Zephyrus, had a music-filled evening Saturday at Sanders and Pat Lamont's house (Elevation 5,500 feet). The weather was almost perfect, with the exception that the true flat-landers in the group (Admiral Fox and Michael) were not used to the pine pollen and immediately got allergic reactions.

As in incredibly stuffed sinuses...

But after a great dinner, including a bottle of excellent sauvignon blanc, the runny noses cleared up enough to play music for about an hour, with newcomers Dan and Lorraine Olsen providing the backbeat on some metal spoons and wooden clackers.

Admiral Fox tunes up

The group practiced a number of fancy tunes, most more suited to the guitar, violin and hammer dulcimer than the ukelele. But a number of others snuck in that were excellent uke songs, including the cowboy classic, Back in the Saddle, TheMermaid, and also a new favorite, Union Maid.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

CAMP CONNELL, Calif. USA - After much dithering about, The Four Headlamps musical entourage will have a reunion this weekend in the high mountain air (5,500 feet, mas o menos) with newcomers and itinerant sailors Dan and Lorraine Olsen as musical guests and potential members of the group.

Although the original Headlamps got together in Mexico last spring for a reunion, the musical aspects were mostly overshadowed by cerveza and a variety of other tropical diversions: surfing, motorcycle riding, Cuba Libres and just plain beach living.

This time (the allure of the nearby Lube Room bar and restaurant nonwithstanding) we are pledged to play a full set of songs, including Chunder, our old standard, Rodney Carrington's Dancin' With A Man, and perhaps two new songs, Billy Currington's People Are Crazy and Union Maid.

Dan and Lorraine Olsen

We may also press Brian and Ruth Gray of Murphys into service, as well as their children, Delany and Conner. Brian just took up the ukulele (and a fine instrument it is, by God...).

Move over Woodstock, The Four Headlamps are on the comeback trail.

Here are the lyrics to the new songs:

Union Maid

There once was a union maid, she never was afraid Of goons and ginks and company finks and the deputy sheriffs who made the raid. She went to the union hall when a meeting it was called, And when the Legion boys come 'round She always stood her ground.

Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union. Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union 'til the day I die.

This union maid was wise to the tricks of company spies, She couldn't be fooled by a company stool, she'd always organize the guys. She always got her way when she struck for better pay. She'd show her card to the National Guard And this is what she'd say

You gals who want to be free, just take a tip from me; Get you a man who's a union man and join the ladies' auxiliary. Married life ain't hard when you got a union card, A union man has a happy life when he's got a union wife.

People are Crazy

This old man and me Were at the bar and we Were havin’ us some beers and Swappin’ I don’t cares Talkin’ politics Blonde and redhead chicks Old dogs and new tricks and Habits we ain’t kicked

We talked about Gods grace And all the hell we raised Then I heard the old man say, “God is great, beer is good and People Are Crazy”

He said "I fought two wars, Been married and divorced" What brings you to Ohio? He said "Damn if I know" We talked an hour or two About every girl we knew What all we put ‘em through Like two old boys will do

We pondered life and death He light a cigarette He said "These damn things will kill me yet, But God is great, beer is good and people are crazy"

Last call its 2:00am I said goodbye to him I never talked to him again

Then one sunny day I saw the old man’s face Front page Obituary He was a millionaire he He left his fortune to Some guy he barely knew His kids were mad as hell Huh but me, I’m doing well And I drop by today To just say thanks and pray And I left a six-pack right there on his grave And I said God is great, beer is good and people are crazy

God is great, beer is good and people are crazy God is great, beer is good and people are crazy

Thursday, October 30, 2008

WASILLA, Alaska, USA - The Four Headlamps got a hit on the website this week from Wasilla, Alaska of all places.

Yes, that Wasilla.

Someone was searching for Chunder in the Old Pacific Sea and found the site.

Wasilla, readers might remember, is home to Gov. Sarah Palin (R) who at the moment, is barnstorming around the country trying to convince people that she would make a good president, er, I mean, vice-president.

The site meter that shows the Wasilla hit doesn't give enough information to pin down exactly who looked at the site, but perhaps it was someone at the public library, if it's still open. But it could be someone with a Palin connection - maybe even one of the Palin kids, if they have been let off the campaign tether.

In the meantime, it could be that the person who ran across this site is now a fan and we can look forward to more Alaska-Mexico connections, even though you can't see Mexico from Sarah Palin's house.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Admiral Fox, lead violinist of The Four Headlamps just found out that while two members of the group will be vacationing in La Manzanilla at the end of Thanksgiving week (she and Michael), there will be an openmic night at The Four Headlamps favorite south-of-the-border saloon, Palapa Joe's.

And, apparently, The Four Headlamps (minus Sanders and Pat Lamont who will be home in the mountains) are expected to put on a reprise performance of Rodney Carrington's Dancin' With A Man.

There's even a reasonable chance that there will be a couple of other songs in the repertoire, including the Australian favorite, Chunder, and a couple of songs written by Brett Beardslee of Hector, New York that haven't made the pop charts yet, but certainly keep the people in upstate New York in stitches.

One is called, Rich Young Nymphomaniac, a song sure to please the rowdy crowd at Palapa Joe's.

Brett Beardslee

Admiral Fox and Brett practicing last summer in Hector, New York

Last spring, after The Four Headlamps performed Dancin' With A Man at open mic night, they received this comment from Rodney Carrington's publicist:

Thanks for your tribute to Rodney Carrington! However, if you are planning on this as a new occupation, you might want to consider "getting" day jobs! LOL!

Julie Goldstein, Rodney's Publicist

Hmmm... Maybe a little practice - and a lesson or two with violin and ukulele Maestro Bill Trainor in Sacramento, might be in order before November.